LBCI

Pope promises to visit Lebanon, South Sudan, as soon as possible

Middle East

24-12-2020 | 07:19

Share

Share

Pope promises to visit Lebanon, South Sudan, as soon as possible

2^min

Pope Francis promised in his Christmas messages on Thursday to visit Lebanon and South Sudan as soon as he could.

The pope traditionally mentions countries in his Christmas Day message, but he singled out those two nations with Christmas Eve messages because of difficulties each has faced this year.

"I am deeply troubled to see the suffering and anguish that has sapped the native resilience and resourcefulness of the Land of the Cedars," Francis said, referring to Lebanon, which has been struggling with a deep economic crisis and the aftermath of the Beirut port explosion on Aug. 4 that killed about 200 people.

Victims are still awaiting the result of an investigation into blast the ruined a swathe of the capital.

Francis expressed "my affection for the beloved people of Lebanon, whom I hope to visit as soon as possible".

He said he hoped the country could "stand apart from conflicts and regional tensions".

He is already due to visit Iraq March 5-8.

In a separate message written jointly with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who is the spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and Church of Scotland moderator Martin Fair, the three church leaders committed to making a previously delayed trip to majority Christian South Sudan "as things return to normalcy."

The message was addressed to South Sudan's leaders, former rivals who formed a national unity government in February after years of civil war ravaged the oil-producing yet poor nation.

A U.N. report said this month that implementing various aspects of a peace accord had stalled in the country, where floods in September displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

REUTERS

Breaking Headlines

Lebanon News

Pope Francis

Lebanon

Sudan

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Australia’s grand mufti to LBCI: Bondi Beach attack undermines social cohesion, praises Ahmad al-Ahmad’s heroism

04:13

Australia’s grand mufti to LBCI: Bondi Beach attack undermines social cohesion, praises Ahmad al-Ahmad’s heroism

Uncertain path for financial gap law raises pressure on Lebanon’s banks — what’s next?

News Bulletin Reports

2025-12-11

Uncertain path for financial gap law raises pressure on Lebanon’s banks — what’s next?

After suspension of “Rissalat Association” license, PM Salam explains government’s decision

2025-10-06

After suspension of “Rissalat Association” license, PM Salam explains government’s decision

Lebanese Army organizes guided tour south of Litani River

07:14

Lebanese Army organizes guided tour south of Litani River

Videos

Pope Leo XIV urges leaders to hear their people’s cry for peace, singles out Lebanon (video)

2025-12-02

Pope Leo XIV urges leaders to hear their people’s cry for peace, singles out Lebanon (video)

At Beirut waterfront, Pope Leo XIV rides through cheering crowds (video)

2025-12-02

At Beirut waterfront, Pope Leo XIV rides through cheering crowds (video)

At Beirut Port, Pope Leo XIV offers silent prayer for blast victims (video)

2025-12-02

At Beirut Port, Pope Leo XIV offers silent prayer for blast victims (video)

Pope Leo XIV opens hospital visit with Arabic ’Sabah el-kheir’ — Video

2025-12-02

Pope Leo XIV opens hospital visit with Arabic ’Sabah el-kheir’ — Video

Pope Leo XIV tells Lebanese youth Lebanon’s future ‘is in your hands’; watch full speech here

2025-12-01

Pope Leo XIV tells Lebanese youth Lebanon’s future ‘is in your hands’; watch full speech here

Pope Leo XIV moved by youth turnout in Bkerke: Video

2025-12-01

Pope Leo XIV moved by youth turnout in Bkerke: Video

Pope Leo leaves for Istanbul—Video

Middle East News

2025-11-27

Pope Leo leaves for Istanbul—Video

Pope Leo arrives at Turkey's Presidential Palace—Video

Middle East News

2025-11-27

Pope Leo arrives at Turkey's Presidential Palace—Video

Pope Leo visits Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's mausoleum—Video

Middle East News

2025-11-27

Pope Leo visits Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's mausoleum—Video

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Lebanon minister says 380,000 Syrian refugees have returned home under safe return plan

1

Lebanon minister says 380,000 Syrian refugees have returned home under safe return plan

Australia’s grand mufti to LBCI: Bondi Beach attack undermines social cohesion, praises Ahmad al-Ahmad’s heroism

2

Australia’s grand mufti to LBCI: Bondi Beach attack undermines social cohesion, praises Ahmad al-Ahmad’s heroism

Sources tell LBCI: Diplomats focus on Lebanese army’s weapons control plan during Southern Litani briefing

3

Sources tell LBCI: Diplomats focus on Lebanese army’s weapons control plan during Southern Litani briefing

US pushes diplomacy with Lebanon: Israeli military chief hints at renewed offensive against Hezbollah

4

US pushes diplomacy with Lebanon: Israeli military chief hints at renewed offensive against Hezbollah

Lebanon’s PM pushes to finalize financial gap law within 48 hours, sources say

5

Lebanon’s PM pushes to finalize financial gap law within 48 hours, sources say

Border demarcation: Lebanon-Syria border incident raises questions over security coordination

6

Border demarcation: Lebanon-Syria border incident raises questions over security coordination

Amid Israeli violations, diplomats visit south Lebanon: Key discussion points

7

Amid Israeli violations, diplomats visit south Lebanon: Key discussion points

German Defense Ministry signs support agreements with Lebanese Army

8

German Defense Ministry signs support agreements with Lebanese Army

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More